Reporter’s Notebook: Winner donating convertible

December 12, 2007

By Sarah Meyer: CNJ staff writer

One lucky man will use his good fortune to help others.

Brent Armstrong of Broadview won a 1989 Mustang convertible in a raffle sponsored by the Desert Cruzers Car Club at their 11th annual Run to Hillcrest Rod Run. He donated the car back to the club, said Carl Melinat, the club’s secretary.

The car will be sold (probably on eBay), said Melinat, and the proceeds from the raffle and sale will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Lighthouse Mission and Clovis Community College.

Jerry Bailey, president of the car club, said the donation “means quite a lot.”

The additional money will go to help “make something special happen” for children and their families who benefit from Make-A-Wish; to provide a scholarship to CCC’s automotive program for a needy student who will be able to start a career; and to help the Lighthouse Mission continue “their good works in the community,” he said.

Last year, the car club donated $5,000 to Make-A-Wish, $3,000 to the Lighthouse Mission, and $1,000 for a scholarship to CCC, Melinat said.

The funds typically are distributed in February, he added.

“We really appreciate the donation,” said Bailey. “We like to ensure that our moneys go to a really worthy cause.”

This year’s Run to Hillcrest Rod Run, held in September, featured more than 200 cars, Bailey said, most of them from 1972 or older.